posted 10-04-2013 09:17 AM
I saw Gravity tonight and thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable film. I was just wondering how others found it. Yes, you have to suspend reality, not to mention much of what you know about orbital mechanics. But all that aside, this is an impressive film with great effects and beautiful cinematography.

I found George Clooney a bit annoying as the cocky, arrogant veteran astronaut, but (without giving away the storyline) the way his character is dealt with in the movie is very good.

Sandra Bullock was excellent. I have read that her depiction of the rookie spacewalker is an "insult to all female astronauts," presumably because of her panicky reaction to the situation. I disagree; hers is, I believe, a very accurate portrayal of a terrifying predicament, albeit sensationalised Hollywood-style.

I need to read up on how they made this film: the weightlessness is very realistic, and the shuttle and ISS are super-detailed.

I don't propose to make this a litany of the film's various errors (yes, there are plenty). I'm just curious about people's impressions about the film as entertainment.

"Gravity," the new dramatic thriller from Warner Bros. Pictures, opened in theaters Friday (Oct. 4), providing audiences their first look at director Alfonso Cuarón's movie about spacewalkers Sandra Bullock and George Clooney stranded in orbit. The feature sets the action within modern day spaceflight and includes a number of hidden references that only space enthusiasts may recognize. collectSPACE.com found five nods to real space history in "Gravity."

This article contains spoilers — so if you haven't yet seen Gravity, you might want to hold off reading... BUT, that said, there's an "easter egg" hidden in this story about easter eggs, which you should be able to find without reading. The easter egg itself is spoiler-free — the surprise collectSPACE gave Sandra Bullock and director Alfonso Cuarón.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-04-2013 06:15 PM
The Union-Tribune in San Diego had astronaut Woody Spring share his thoughts about "Gravity" (coordinated with the help of our own Francis French at the San Diego Air & Space Museum):

He was filled with exuberance, telling me, "I really liked the movie. It was exciting and fun. You wouldn't want to show it to a physics class because of some of the inaccuracies. But I can see where the movie could become a cult classic."

I must be dense, but I can't find the Easter Egg surprise you gave them, can't see anything at all.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-04-2013 11:47 PM
I'll share the hint I shared on Facebook:

You don't need to READ the article to find the easter egg, but it helps if you RED it.

RonpurMember

Posts: 630From: Brandon, FlRegistered: May 2012

posted 10-04-2013 11:59 PM
I love their reactions!! You really did thrill them!

Chariot412Member

Posts: 116From: Lockport, NY, 14094Registered: Jun 2011

posted 10-05-2013 02:41 PM
Robert, cool gifts and great reactions!

Speaking of "Easter eggs", did I imagine it or did I see a photo of the Skylab 3 official crew picture float by as Dr. Stone negotiates her way through the ISS?

RangeZeroMember

Posts: 24From: Indiana, USARegistered: Jun 2006

posted 10-05-2013 04:26 PM
I saw the film last night with my wife. The cinematography is incredible and Sandra Bullock does a very nice job.

There were definitely some "aw, c'mon" moments but I kept those to myself as I did not want to spoil it for my significant other. The film is certainly worthy of the price of admission just be ready to suspend some of what you know about space, spacecraft, orbital mechanics, and physics and let Hollywood tell the story.

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2647From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 10-05-2013 07:47 PM
I saw the hed but didn't read the article on Easter Eggs until after I saw the movie. I thought one of them would be the Marvin the Martian figure - because after all, he was the one with the trademark quote, "Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!"

As for whether to like the film or not and why, I did like the film. Every film will have its share of errors and head-scratching moments. And whether or not those moments overrides the enjoyability of a film determines whether or not the film will be panned.

Was there implausible moments, especially when things seem to cascade against Bullock's character? Sure. But the only real head scratcher was her character not getting electrocuted when she ran her hand across a live solar array (as was Melroy's fear with Parazynski during STS-120.)

I mean, it wasn't like SpaceCamp, in which the whole movie was ruined for me because Andie, a qualified shuttle pilot, didn't pull an RTLS or TAL or at worse, at AOA once Atlantis launched accidentally. (I ignored the fact that the Booster B signal was erroneous, and the act of lighting only Booster A would have cause the very cartwheeling accident they were trying to prevent.)

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-05-2013 08:42 PM

quote:Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:I thought one of them would be the Marvin the Martian figure...

Easter eggs are generally hidden or background references; Marvin the Martian is front and center in the film (I guess his easter egg would be that "Gravity" is being distributed by Warner Bros., the same company behind Looney Tunes).

lspoozMember

Posts: 203From: Greensboro, NC USARegistered: Aug 2012

posted 10-05-2013 11:24 PM
Wow, the responses of Bullock and Cuaron seemed great, and the 'eggs' were perfectly chosen for the recipients [and like the classic question to a magician, how did you pull those particular rabbits out of your hat?] Alfonso will even more enjoy his egg when he's studied the story behind it. I liked the new patch that was included with Sandra's egg.

Priceless!

Go4LaunchMember

Posts: 433From: Seminole, Fla.Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-05-2013 11:31 PM
I found Gravity overall a disappointment. As previously stated, the microgravity simulation, especially aboard the ISS, and the spacecraft detailing and general accuracy are excellent, no question. And kudos for seamless integration of actors and CGI. Finally, if it stimulates public interest in space or leads a youngster to a space career, that’s great.

But beyond that, so many of the events and plot turns are preposterous that it’s hard to take the “danger” very seriously. Clooney and Bullock (understandably) behave quite unlike real shuttle astronauts, further undercutting any sense of genuine risk.

I saw it in 3D specifically because of the buzz it was getting as “the next generation” in CGI films. But while the 3D was fine, and it did look pretty, this is hardly a next-gen experience. Add in a predictable and linear story line, and it’s just not the sci-fi blockbuster it could have been.

I’ll grant that a space enthusiast might find it worth shelling out the $16.50 (for 3D), but I would rather watch IMAX: Hubble 3D or Space Station 3D any day, both of which are more breathtaking and fascinating.

Jay ChladekMember

Posts: 2270From: Bellevue, NE, USARegistered: Aug 2007

posted 10-06-2013 12:19 AM

quote:Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:Was there implausible moments, especially when things seem to cascade against Bullock's character? Sure. But the only real head scratcher was her character not getting electrocuted when she ran her hand across a live solar array (as was Melroy's fear with Parazynski during STS-120.)

Electrocution from the ISS solar arrays was not really a concern on Parazynski's spacewalk from what I've been able to research (and the term "Electrocution" technically means being shocked to death rather than an electrical shock). But, there WAS a concern that if he did touch a solar array that there might be a bit of an electrical arc through the suit to him... not enough to hurt or kill him, but rather potentially enough to ignite an oxygen fire inside his 3.6 psi "balloon" which could result in a pretty bad day.

As for Space Camp, given that I don't believe that the igniters are even installed in the SRBs for flight readiness firings (as I recall, they are installed only just before RSS rollback in preparation for launch and the arming pins get pulled before the covers are installed), I doubt they could even be activated. But that was your ONLY problem and not a fictional robot hijacking a NASA computer to get kids on a shuttle in the first place? At least they got panel "C3" right.

328KFMember

Posts: 949From: Registered: Apr 2008

posted 10-06-2013 08:09 AM
I saw the film the other night in 3D as well. It was a great experience. I found it interesting how the sunrises, sunsets, and even "moonrises" kind of kept the time with the story. Sometimes I found myself looking off to one side of the screen thinking "Wow....look how they got the moonlight reflecting off of the ocean down there."

That was probably the best take-away from the film. I'm not sure how that will carry over to the home DVD version, because even with 3D, it's not on a huge IMAX screen. All of the little odds and ends floating around in front of your face were amazing. While Apollo 13 was revolutionary for using the KC-135 for filming, I now think that the CGI technology has come to a point where it is every bit as good as the real thing.

In addition to the previously mention items, I also spotted an inflatable blue alien which is aboard the real ISS, and one quick shot of an Omega Speedmaster. The attention to every detail of the spacecraft and hardware made it difficult to know you weren't seeing the actual thing at times.

I'll give the technical errors a pass and accept it for what it was. The packed theater I was in seemed to really enjoy it, and I was more impressed for everything they got right versus the things nobody but a space geek would know.

Cliff LentzMember

Posts: 654From: Philadelphia, PA USARegistered: Mar 2002

posted 10-06-2013 08:30 AM
I saw GRAVITY at the first showing on Friday morning in IMAX 3D. There was a sparse crowd which makes sense that it was 10AM and I was coming off my third shift job.

I arranged a system of approval/non-approval with my wife before we entered the theater. I thought the standard THUMBS UP/THUMBS DOWN would work nicely here.

I've read some of the negative reviews and I can understand why you say them. I had those thoughts as well. While there were many thumbs down, I couldn't help be captivated by the film. It really was a beautiful work to look at.

It certainly isn't like watching an IMAX shuttle film. Those are special too in their own way and I don't blame anyone for preferring them.

I just loved the attention to detail even though big liberties were taken with the the equipment and spacecraft (Side hatch on the Soyuz?) Seeing the ATV docked at station I couldn't help think if Dragon was there, that could be a way back, maybe not a comfortable way but they have survived re-entry.

I think I really enjoyed something of a tour around the different vehicles, real or unreal. Somewhere in the process I just decided to put my engineer hat away, stop thumbs downing and just enjoyed the ride. It is fictional after all as is "2001," "2010," some say "The Right Stuff" too.

rjurek349Member

Posts: 994From: Chicago, ILRegistered: Jan 2002

posted 10-06-2013 02:41 PM
Robert - outstanding interview....and those reactions from Bullock and Cuaron are priceless! What a wonderful gesture - and probably making your interview with them the most memorable of the whole press junket. Well done! And congrats on scoring the one-on-one time.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-06-2013 03:01 PM
Thanks Rich! For everyone who has found the easter egg, be sure to watch to the very end for a special "outtake."

We'll be posting the video much more prominently on Monday...

Fra MauroMember

Posts: 1175From: Bethpage, N.Y.Registered: Jul 2002

posted 10-06-2013 06:51 PM
A pretty good movie and I will give the technical flaws a pass — this is a sci-fi movie. One observation, Bullock's fire extinguisher move to the Chinese space station reminded me of a scene from WALL-E!

Space Emblem ArtMember

Posts: 185From: Citrus Heights, CA - USARegistered: Jan 2006

posted 10-06-2013 07:04 PM
I saw GRAVITY yesterday in 3D with Xtreme digital sound. I liked it although I know they took liberties by stretching reality - after all, you have to remember it's a Hollywood film for the mass audiences.

The 3D captivated me more so than the digital sound. Found myself focusing on details on various items shown in the film and missing other things on screen at same time. Hmm, maybe I'll just have to see it again to focus on the other things.

p51Member

Posts: 1198From: Olympia, WA, USARegistered: Sep 2011

posted 10-06-2013 07:51 PM
I saw this afternoon with my wife. You MUST see it on IMAX and 3D if at all possible, it's a jaw-dropping experience!

As for whatever was at the end, my wife will never sit through any credits, it's something we argue about all the time (and as they do that a lot, I've missed all of them over the years unless I was alone at the time), so I missed whatever was at the end.

Yep, I'll buy the DVD for certain and might even go again alone again to see it like that one more time!

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-06-2013 08:01 PM

quote:Originally posted by p51:As for whatever was at the end, my wife will never sit through any credits... so I missed whatever was at the end.

I wasn't referring to the film, but to the easter egg video hidden in our easter egg story...

JPSastroMember

Posts: 146From: Tucson, ArizonaRegistered: Jan 2009

posted 10-06-2013 08:04 PM
The movie was a hit. Reporting an opening $55 million box office.

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2647From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 10-06-2013 10:51 PM

quote:Originally posted by Fra Mauro:A pretty good movie and I will give the technical flaws a pass — this is a sci-fi movie. One observation, Bullock's fire extinguisher move to the Chinese space station reminded me of a scene from WALL-E!

Actually, I remember a scene from the GI Joe cartoon where someone moved across a space station by opening a six-pack of cola (which must have been shaken up.) Always wondered if that would work in space. They'd have to try it in the cargo ship just before jettisoning it, though, because liquids and electronics do not mix especially in space!

"Gravity," Warner Bros. Pictures' space thriller, launched to the top of the box office in its opening weekend, entering the orbit of record-setting films.

Director Alfonso Cuarón's critically-acclaimed movie about astronauts (Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) stranded while on a spacewalk took in an estimated $55.6 million, a record for movies released in October, the entertainment-trade magazine Variety reported.

"People that haven't gone to the movies in years, or who see one or two movies a year, are going to see 'Gravity,'" Warner Bros.' domestic distribution chief Dan Fellman said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "In two days, this movie has become a cultural phenomenon."

Peter downunderMember

Posts: 40From: Lancefield, Victoria, AustraliaRegistered: Apr 2012

posted 10-07-2013 04:17 AM
Hoping to see Gravity on the weekend with my boys. And having never seen Space Camp; Hart's comment about choosing a RTLS or TAL over going into orbit and waiting for a proper de-orbit...? Prefaced once again, having never seen the movie, would that be a wise decision?

Hart SastrowardoyoMember

Posts: 2647From: Toms River, NJRegistered: Aug 2000

posted 10-07-2013 09:26 AM

quote:Originally posted by Peter downunder:Prefaced once again, having never seen the movie, would that be a wise decision?

Well, considering they were in danger of running out of oxygen, I would think getting the vehicle on the ground sooner than later would be preferred.

JPSastroMember

Posts: 146From: Tucson, ArizonaRegistered: Jan 2009

posted 10-07-2013 10:00 PM
This is something interesting I witnessed twice today. At breakfast in a restaurant I could hear a booth of high school kids talking about an intense movie they saw on Sunday, "Gravity." They were having quite interesting discussion about the storyline and the special effects.

Then at chemo, three nurses were talking about the same movie and how very realistic it all looked and wondering how Hollywood got NASA to let them film such a flick. Well, it's being seen and has people talking. Hope week two is just as good.

GilbertMember

Posts: 1046From: Carrollton, GA USARegistered: Jan 2003

posted 10-08-2013 09:58 AM
Saw it in 3-D last night. It was very enjoyable and intense.

RonpurMember

Posts: 630From: Brandon, FlRegistered: May 2012

posted 10-08-2013 01:27 PM
Possible spoilers:

I just got back from a regular showing. (I get way too dizzy at 3D movies.) It was AMAZING to look at and an incredible fun ride. I will always be afraid whenever Marvin the Martian appears for now on.

It was very sad to see all of the destruction of the vehicles I have loved for so long.

But, preposterous situations almost ruined it for me, even splash-drown, which actually brought a few laughs from the theater. And I could almost buy ISS and Hubble together for some future reason, but the Chinese station too?

I wish there could have been a Dragon on ISS to use as a rescue, but maybe SpaceX wouldn't allow the use of their ship.

I did like the way Stone was a bit wobbly as she stood up at the end, her final battle with "Gravity" was just standing up.

tegwilymMember

Posts: 2306From: Crest Airpark (S36) Kent, WARegistered: Jan 2000

posted 10-09-2013 12:10 PM
I saw it last weekend. I basically left the hard-core space geek half of my brain in the car and went in and simply enjoyed it!

Sure, there are errors and orbital mechanics weirdness, but just ignore all that.

Special effects were amazing, and the zero-G effects were almost up there with Apollo 13 - but without the vomit comet stage.

Great fun! I really enjoyed it and will add it to my DVD collection with my other space movies when it comes out.

Oh, spend the extra money and see it in IMAX 3D, it's worth it!

music_spaceMember

Posts: 1079From: CanadaRegistered: Jul 2001

posted 10-09-2013 06:32 PM
The Soyuz VZOR periscope screen is featured quite proeminently in the movie. I presume that the (period) VZOR outer lense in my collection should generate added interest in my future presentations:

posted 10-09-2013 08:55 PM
Monday, my daughter Trisha and I went to see Gravity. I had been paying attention to all of the reviews since it premiered so I knew what the complaints were.

Yes, there are moments that stray away from reality, but the visceral beauty of this film overcomes that for me. All my life I dreamed about flying in space.

Honestly, while it depicts an astronauts worst day ever, this film allowed me to see what it would be like to take a spacewalk while orbiting the Earth.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney were perfect in this. Alfonso Cuaron has set the bar for the next "space film" very high indeed.

My wife Lynn and I rate movies as follows: do we want to see it in the theater or wait for the pay per view or DVD availability. Not only will I see it again in the theater, I will buy the DVD. AWESOME!!!

bobzzMember

Posts: 98From: Batavia, IllinoisRegistered: Aug 2007

posted 10-12-2013 11:53 AM
Very enjoyable!!!! Finally a movie without vampires or zombies!!!

GoesTo11Member

Posts: 1194From: Denver, CO USARegistered: Jun 2004

posted 10-12-2013 01:41 PM

quote:Originally posted by bobzz:Very enjoyable!!!! Finally a movie without vampires or zombies!!!

...Or superheroes!

Seriously, I saw "Gravity" last weekend in IMAX 3-D. It was fantastic.

As other posters (and Alfonso Cuaron) have mentioned, this is not a documentary. If you can set aside your space-geek helmet for 90 minutes and enjoy it for the adventure that it is, you'll have a great time.

This movie is a technical tour-de-force and a visceral experience. It's the best cinematic representation one could expect to see of what it would be like to be stranded "up there."

MCroft04Member

Posts: 1349From: Smithfield, Me, USARegistered: Mar 2005

posted 10-12-2013 09:07 PM
Saw it and was a bit let down. I was prepared for the inconsistencies in orbital mechanics stuff, but thought I'd have to look hard to find it. Not the case. But except for one scene I didn't let that bother me. It was the rest of the plot that I struggled with; it was so implausible. I like story lines that are at least semi-realistic.

I did enjoy the cinematography, especially the 3D.

I gave it a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Cliff LentzMember

Posts: 654From: Philadelphia, PA USARegistered: Mar 2002

posted 10-14-2013 06:40 AM
On my weekly radio report on Sportsradio 94Wip in Philadelphia I reviewed GRAVITY. I said how much I enjoyed the film even though there were technical and scientific flaws. I was met with wild laughter and told that I was probably the only person to notice things like that. Obviously they are not regular collectSPACE readers. They made the point that if it's a good story ( a lot of action) NO ONE CARES if the patches are on the wrong side or the stars aren't right. Maybe they had a point. I think they did a lot of things right. The ISS and the Shuttle looked absolutely correct, When Sandra reached for the manuals in the Soyuz they were in the right place and so on. Maybe we are too critical sometimes.

alanh_7Member

Posts: 1108From: Ajax, Ontario, CanadaRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 10-14-2013 02:53 PM
I saw Gravity in 3D today. Finally. I thought it was a well shot solid action movie. Great cinematography. I am glad I saw it on the big screen.

Kal-ElNew Member

Posts: 8From: Plainfield, Illinois 60544Registered: Dec 2012

posted 10-14-2013 06:17 PM
I saw this over the weekend in IMAX 3D. Loved it

Greggy_DMember

Posts: 819From: MichiganRegistered: Jul 2006

posted 10-14-2013 06:58 PM
I'm taking my daughter on Wednesday to see the movie. I've purposely kept myself on blackout concerning the film....no previews, no reviews (with the exception of Robert's interviews). We'll forgo the 3D version and I'm very much looking forward to the experience.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 31508From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 10-14-2013 08:12 PM
Greg, if you can swing it, the 3D is very much worth it for this film. It's not the type of the movie to get you dizzy or to startle you, but the 3D adds depth that is really only comparable to what you find in IMAX space documentaries...